Cultivation Begins with Caring for Sister-in-law

Chapter 818: Chapter 823, Chapter 824: Mother, Is She Also Jia’Er’s Concubine? (2)

"Thank you."

"There’s no need for formality between us. How is the Prince doing lately?"

"The Prince has moved to Celestial River; I haven’t seen him for a long time now, but I trust all is well." As the strong drink flowed down his throat, Han Wu felt a bit warmer.

"By the way, what are the supplies you brought from Xiangyang this time?" Cui Shuang asked curiously.

"Oh, it’s the newly developed bows and arrows from the Military Workshop. I heard they were created by the Prince himself, called Compound Bows, and their power is even greater than the Divine Arm Crossbow. When the Prince was in Xiangyang, he had already instructed that the first batch be transported to the Border Pass." Han Wu said.

"Compound Bow?" Chang En was startled, then quickly said, "Let’s go and take a look."

...

Celestial River.

The Capital was also snowy, but compared to the North, the weather was not as cold, the snow was not as deep, and it had stopped snowing.

The midday sun shone upon the square Imperial City, seemingly dispersing the biting cold wind, bringing a hint of warmth to the Imperial Palace.

But outside the palace, the welcoming palace maids and eunuchs still shrunk their necks, and while the nobles had not arrived, they sneakily brought their hands to their mouths to blow warm air.

"Clop-clop-clop..."

A group of elite Armored Warriors came jogging from the end of the Black Tortoise Dao, their movement causing the Armor Leafs to rub, making crisp sounds.

Soon after, several carriages appeared at the end of the avenue.

Whether palace maids or eunuchs, or the Imperial Guard, all stood alert and in formation.

These carriages did not stop at the outer city but headed straight towards the inner city, and the palace maids and eunuchs could only jog alongside the carriages.

Inside one of the carriages, Lin Xuelan, Yu Zhu, and Xingyao were seated. Xingyao slightly lifted the curtain of the window, looking out at the grand Imperial City, at the palace maids and eunuchs jogging, afraid of making any mistake, her gaze couldn’t help but be a bit dazed.

For this past month and a half, Xingyao hadn’t left the Prince Wei’s Mansion, so her understanding of Chen Mo’s status in the Great Song remained in imagination, without clear sensory understanding.

But now, there was temporarily some sensory understanding.

As a minister, it was one thing to bring his wives and concubines into the palace to see the wintersweet; they could even directly enter by carriage, without having to get off.

When they reached the inner city gate, the carriage stopped.

Xingyao, Lin Xuelan, and Yu Zhu got out of the carriage.

It was not that the Prince Wei’s Mansion carriages couldn’t enter the inner city.

But Emperor Yong’an brought Empress Zhao to personally greet them.

"Minister greets Your Majesty and Empress."

"Minister’s wife greets Your Majesty and Empress."

Chen Mo, holding Wu Mi’s hand, went forward to Emperor Yong’an and Empress Zhao, raised his hand and bowed.

"Prince Wei, Princess Consort Wei, no need for extra courtesy." Emperor Yong’an raised his hand, his gaze casually sweeping behind Chen Mo, filled mostly with youthful and beautiful wives and concubines, but knowing they were the Prince’s concubines, he dared not look long, quickly shifting his gaze back.

But just then, a childish voice reached Emperor Yong’an’s ear.

A rosy-cheeked two-year-old child, holding Zhao Empress’s hand, asked Wu Mi, "Mother, is she also Jia’Er’s aunt?"

The maid in charge of Chen Jia at this moment turned pale; she was distracted for just a moment and Chen Jia had already run ahead.

Empress Zhao was stunned.

Wu Mi was also shocked, hurriedly stepped forward to embrace Chen Jia: "Jia’Er, what nonsense are you talking? Quickly pay your respects to Your Majesty and the Empress."

Chen Jia was bewildered and didn’t move; he didn’t understand what paying respects meant, as in Prince Wei’s Mansion, everyone accommodated him.

Chen Mo’s concubines at this moment also had unfathomable expressions.

Just as Chen Mo was wondering how to explain, Empress Zhao suddenly walked over to Chen Jia, squatted down, and smiled: "This must be the Young Prince, how sweet..."

She even reached to touch Chen Jia’s head, then turned to Emperor Yong’an and said, "Your Majesty, may I recognize the Young Prince as my godson?"

Emperor Yong’an’s mood wasn’t much better, considering this was quite a loss of face, but in front of everyone, he could only feign calm and chuckle: "I had the same thought, just wondering if Prince Wei and Princess Consort Wei mind."

Before Chen Mo could finish speaking, Wu Mi smiled and said, "What are you saying, Your Majesty? Jia’Er receiving the Empress’s favor is an honor for Jia’Er, the minister’s wife, and the Prince; we are happy, not mind at all."

Chen Mo smiled, consenting by default.

Thus, this matter passed.

Chen Jia took the opportunity and hugged Empress Zhao who was squatting in front of him, and without being taught, sweetly called: "Godmother."

Chen Mo: "..."

Wu Mi: "..."

Empress Zhao: "..."

Emperor Yong’an pretended not to mind.

He lightly coughed and said: "Prince Wei, Princess Consort Wei, let’s go to the Wintersweet Forest now; the scenery is beautiful, perfect for strolling."

Chen Mo and Wu Mi nodded, and the group proceeded towards the Wintersweet Forest.

Chen Jia was taken by Empress Zhao.

Behind them, Lin Xuelan breathed a sigh of relief, she had been extremely anxious.

...

Royal Garden, inside the Wintersweet Forest.

December’s wintersweet flowers were truly beautiful.

Goose-yellow blossoms adorned the branches in a scattered yet charming pattern, swaying gently with the clear breeze and the bright light, casting mottled, dancing shadows on the snow.

The wintersweet was unlike the vibrant spring flowers, nor as elegant and graceful as the lotus, nor did it possess the varied forms and rich hues of the chrysanthemum.

Yet in this icy landscape, it exuded a unique simplicity and elegance.

In his previous life, Chen Mo had also seen wintersweet.

However, that was in an urban park, with far fewer blossoms, and the background was skyscrapers, with marble benches and street lamps nearby, which didn’t match at all, lacking the current charm.

The plum blossoms were full of fragrance, their aroma drifting far.

Upon entering the Wintersweet Forest, Empress Zhao put Chen Jia down.

Despite the wintersweet’s beauty, living in the palace had made Empress Zhao used to the sight, losing its freshness. She was looking for a reason to leave, but Emperor Yong’an spoke up, asking her to accompany the Princess Consort Wei and the others.

However, Emperor Yong’an, after a short while with Chen Mo, found an excuse to leave, letting Empress Zhao remain to accompany them.

Empress Zhao bit her red lips, feeling somewhat grievance.

The Emperor grew colder towards her.

Clearly it was you who said not to be alone with the Prince Wei, how come now...

But in front of others, she had to maintain a cheerful demeanor.

Empress Zhao’s attire, a lavish red dress with ornate golden embroidery and strands of tassels, enhanced her grace and complemented the snowy scene.

Her unique temperament was like a flash of red in the snow, making hearts mesmerizing.

At least at this moment, Chen Mo’s wives and concubines appeared slightly less striking.

Of course, this was not about looks comparison, but an overall impression.

Wu Mi couldn’t help but smile: "Empress truly is beautiful."

Empress Zhao’s face, akin to delicate white jade, blushed upon hearing, with a gentle smile: "Princess Consort Wei flatters, you are far more beautiful than this palace."

As she said this, she stepped forward, holding the hand of the Princess Consort Wei: "Your hand is truly delicate, clearly Prince Wei cares about his wife."

In Empress Zhao’s view, fostering good relations with Princess Consort Wei was the right move.

"The Prince indeed treats the minister’s wife very well." Wu Mi softly smiled, looking at Chen Mo with a hint of tenderness in her eyes.

Chen Mo returned the smile, instructing Ru Yan to keep an eye on things here, while he took the children to play elsewhere.

In the Great Song, no photos could be taken to commemorate.

Visiting the Wintersweet Forest was purely to see something fresh.

It was beautiful.

Yet, after watching for a long time, it became somewhat tiring.

In less than half an hour, the group of women showed some lack of interest.

Empress Zhao invited them to sit nearby, have some refreshments, and drink hot tea to relax.

The women nodded, expressing agreement.

ps: Thanks everyone for the monthly passes!